First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
politic
adjective pol·i·tic \ˈpä-lə-ˌtik\
: showing good judgment especially in dealing with other people
Full Definition of POLITIC
1
2
: characterized by shrewdness in managing, contriving, or dealing
3
: sagacious in promoting a policy
4
: shrewdly tactful
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Origin of POLITIC
Middle English politik, from Middle French politique, from Latin politicus, from Greek politikos, from politēs citizen — more at police
Related to POLITIC
- Synonyms
- diplomatic, tactful
- Antonyms
- gauche, impolitic, tactless, undiplomatic, untactful
Synonym Discussion of POLITIC
expedient, politic, advisable mean dictated by practical or prudent motives. expedient usually implies what is immediately advantageous without regard for ethics or consistent principles <a politically expedient decision>. politic stresses judiciousness and tactical value but usually implies some lack of candor or sincerity <a politic show of interest>. advisable applies to what is practical, prudent, or advantageous but lacks the derogatory implication of expedient and politic <sometimes it's advisable to say nothing>.
suave, urbane, diplomatic, bland, smooth, politic mean pleasantly tactful and well-mannered. suave suggests a specific ability to deal with others easily and without friction <a suave public relations coordinator>. urbane implies high cultivation and poise coming from wide social experience <an urbane traveler>. diplomatic stresses an ability to deal with ticklish situations tactfully <a diplomatic negotiator>. bland emphasizes mildness of manner and absence of irritating qualities <a bland master of ceremonies>. smooth suggests often a deliberately assumed suavity <a smooth salesman>. politic implies shrewd as well as tactful and suave handling of people <a cunningly politic manager>.
suave, urbane, diplomatic, bland, smooth, politic mean pleasantly tactful and well-mannered. suave suggests a specific ability to deal with others easily and without friction <a suave public relations coordinator>. urbane implies high cultivation and poise coming from wide social experience <an urbane traveler>. diplomatic stresses an ability to deal with ticklish situations tactfully <a diplomatic negotiator>. bland emphasizes mildness of manner and absence of irritating qualities <a bland master of ceremonies>. smooth suggests often a deliberately assumed suavity <a smooth salesman>. politic implies shrewd as well as tactful and suave handling of people <a cunningly politic manager>.
Other Government and Politics Terms
Rhymes with POLITIC
bailiwick, biopic, Bolshevik, bone to pick, call in sick, candlestick, candlewick, cattle tick, cherry-pick, corner kick, Dominic, do the trick, double-quick, EBCDIC, fiddlestick, fingerpick, flutter kick, hemistich, heretic, lunatic, Menshevik, meterstick, needlestick, onside kick, overtrick, point-and-click, politick, polyptych, rhythm stick, scissors kick, shooting stick, singlestick, swagger stick, swizzle stick, taperstick, turn the trick, undertrick, walking stick, Watson-Crick
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